BikeExchange appoints a Global CEO

By Gary Hunt | 2 November 2017

BikeExchange, has confirmed the appointment of Mark Watkin as its new Global CEO.The online bike classifieds site was founded ten years ago by Sam Salter and Jason Wyatt as a marketplace for people who want to buy and sell cycling products and services. The business has evolved and become more sophisticated over the years and now that it has a presence across nine countries globally a dedicated CEO position has been created.

Making the announcement Bike Exchange co-founder Jason Wyatt said: “We are excited to have someone of Mark’s calibre take the helm at BikeExchange. With over twenty years’ experience in brand, media and advertising MD roles for global agencies, we are confident he will lead BikeExchange into an exciting new era. Having Mark join us at this time is ideal for our business: it follows a recent launch of a new global strategy and a renewed and exciting emphasis on the consumer.”

Mark began his career at Saatchi & Saatchi in London before spending four years at independent digital agency Hyperlink Interactive. In Australia, Mark worked for George Patterson Y&R Melbourne for nearly seven years before his appointment as Managing Director at TBWA Melbourne, and most recently, Managing Director at BWM Dentsu Melbourne.Mr Watkin said the role is an exciting opportunity to mix his passion for business and his passion for cycling and sport.

“I’m thrilled to be joining the BikeExchange business in their milestone, tenth year. Jason, Sam and the team have built a terrific and widespread platform and community. Cycling has always been a daily part of my life too, whether I’m commuting, doing group rides or racing. The more we discussed the Global CEO position, and the more I understood about their recentstrategy work, I just became more and more buoyed by the potential ahead – in the end, I jumped at the opportunity to take the role."

Mark’s appointment follows a 12-month investment from Bike Exchange in a new data and insights platform with a focus on in-depth knowledge of the end consumer and the sharing of this knowledge with partners and advertisers alike.

Bike Exchange is owned and operated by Marketplacer, and is one of more than twenty online marketplace businesses currently operating on their proprietary software platform. The appointment of Mark Watkin is the second major executive talent acquisition for the group in as many months, following the recent appointment of Nick Baker as CEO of Outdoria in August.

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